A major campaign to cut the number of motorcycle deaths in North Yorkshire is paying off, with the toll of fatalities plunging.

The county's roads act as honeypot for bike riders and in the past many of them have paid their lives.

But following a joint campaign by the police and the county's road safety team the figures have improved significantly.

In 2003 a total of 28 motorbike riders were killed in the county - but this year, to date, the figure stands at 17.

And the number of crashes that resulted in someone being killed or seriously injured was reduced by 40 per cent, from 195 to 126.

High profile patrols and enforcement, as well as fast tracking serious speed offenders to court and sentence, have been used to reduce the tragedies.

However both the police and the council warned there was still work to be done to ensure the downward trend continues next year.

Road safety team officer David Lindsay said: "We are pleased with the results for 2004, and believe the work undertaken by the police and ourselves has gone a long way to bring this about.

"Although the weather this year has restricted to an extent the opportunity for riders to take to the roads, the riders have also been made very aware of the consequences they face if they drive irresponsibly in the county and have taken notice of it."

Assistant Chief Constable David Collins added: "These figures are very encouraging, however we will not become complacent.

"We will be reviewing all aspects of this year's campaign and establish what lessons can be learned from it, and how we will conduct next year's campaign."